Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser provides a decorative yet elegant and simple means to securely hold paper towels. The device is comprised of a container including a bottom, sides and a center arbor; a lid; a means to hold a paper towel roll; and, a means to dispense a paper towel from the roll as a single sheet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/134,247 filed Jul. 8, 2008 by Theresa Bond and entitledSpecial Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser. Particularly this new Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser is related to devices and methods to hold papertowels, especially in a home setting or decorative commercial setting.This Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser is a newcombination of existing materials configured with unique features thatprovide an effective, practical and economical way to provide a papertowel holder with unique features that have both functional anddecorative impact. The preferred and alternative embodiments aredescribed below.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

None.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION and PRIOR ART

A. Introduction of the Problems Addressed

There are many restrictions and disadvantages to the types of papertowel. Some do not enclose the towel making it open to dirt and debris.Likewise, the towel is exposed to sight on the counter which may beaesthetically unpleasing. Also, the towel dispenses may be difficult tochange or replace rolls. The towel arbor has helped this but is not inuniversal designs. Finally, the ability to hold small, medium and large(double) rolls is also a shortfall of current dispensers.

While several such devices have been developed over the years, they haveshortcomings in addressing all the fundamentals. The present inventionaddresses these shortcomings, and provides other benefits as well, whichwill be readily apparent from the drawings, written description andclaims herein.

B. Prior Art

The historical technology focused on devices that only helped on holdingor enclosing, or offered complex mechanisms. Early technology is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 3,413,049 (1968) issued to Smay. It was cited for usewith toilet tissue and was a more complex design than the present deviceby Bond. Another patent was portable holder that included an externalspring and no enclosure. It is U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,676 (1977) issued toBardsley.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,053 (1988) issued to Vance taught a holder for aroll of paper which has a base shaped to prevent tipping over and whichis provided with an upstanding pole for holding a roll of paper in placebetween a cap and the base, upstanding parallel spaced guides guide thesheets of paper for removal and impeding material is placed on the baseand pole to impede removal of the sheets. No enclosure or specialholding arbor was described or shown. U.S. Design Patent Des 316,789(1991) issued to McLaughlin showed a lay-down device with a handle. Nofunctionality or arbor design is shown or described.

U.S. Design Patent Des 359,642 (1995) issued to Ahern, Jr. It shows aside and top holder without a center arbor or enclosure. Another U.S.Design Patent Des 389,683 (1998) issued to Herrera shows an enclosureand lid but no “holding arbor” as is in the Bond application. U.S.Design Patent Des 422,170 (2000) issued to Harris, Jr. shows anenclosure and single roll, but no attachment means in the center arbor.

As far as known, there is no other Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser at the present time which fully provide theseimprovements and functional characteristics as the present SpecialFunctional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser. It is believed thatthis device is made with fewer parts with improved configurations andphysical features to provide more functionality when compared to othercurrently utilized paper towel holding devices for use in the kitchen tohold paper towels.

The particular combinations of materials and features are unique andnovel and are not anticipated by prior art. Likewise, use of a SpecialFunctional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser provides significantbenefits compared to prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser has beendeveloped and designed to provide a unique combination that isspecifically related to devices and methods to hold paper towels and thelike, especially on counter tops in plain view. The benefits of theSpecial Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser are delineatedbelow. The new device presents a decorative yet elegant and simple meansto hold paper towels. The device is made of a variety of high quality,durable materials. Furthermore it can be dishwasher safe.

The preferred embodiment of the Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser is comprised of a container including a bottom, sidesand a center arbor; a lid; a means to hold a paper towel roll; and, ameans to dispense a paper towel from the roll as a single sheet.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

There are several objects and advantages of the Special Functional andDecorative Paper Towel Dispenser. There are currently no known papertowel holding devices that are effective at providing the objects ofthis invention.

The following TABLE A summarizes various advantages and objects of theSpecial Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser. This list isexemplary and not limiting to the many advantages offered by this newdevice.

TABLE A Various Benefits, Advantages and Objects This device: ITEMBENEFIT 1 The container is a decorative as well as functional piece. 2The container is enclosed to reduce cross contamination. 3 Expanders areattached to center post to ensure that towels do not unravel incontainer. 4 The container is esthetically pleasing. 5 Container can bemade in different colors. 6 Is adaptable to Small, Medium, and Largesized rolls 7 Container can be made in different materials. 8 Containeris easy to package 9 Can be sold and distributed retail, wholesale, orE-commerce internet sales from a website

Noteworthy is that other advantages and additional features of thepresent Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser will bemore apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the fulldescription of the device. For one skilled in the art of paper towelholders, it is readily understood that the features shown in theexamples with this device are readily adapted for improvement to othertypes of mechanisms and devices for use with paper towels and other likematerials.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate a preferred and alternativeembodiments for the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser. The drawings together with the summary description givenabove and a detailed description given below serve to explain theprinciples of the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser. It is understood, however, that the device is not limited toonly the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are sketches that depict the general preferredembodiment for the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches that show additional details and featuresof the preferred embodiment of the Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are sketches that show alternative embodiments for thedevice.

FIG. 4A and 4B are additional sketches that show other alternativeembodiments for the device.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sketches that show the lid assembly and alternativesfor the Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser.

FIGS. 6A through 6E are sketches that show the alternatives with thearbor to hold the paper towel roll in place for dispensing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following list refers to the drawings:

Ref # Description 30 Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser 31 Container - side, base and center arbor all integral 32Means to rotatably hold the towel to the center arbor 32A Leaf springdevice 32B Rough O-ring device 32C Tapered configuration 32D VerticalRidges 32E Diagonal means(both directions) 33 Lid and handle - integral34 Separate handle 35 Separate top plate 36 Securement means such asthreaded or stepped/ledge configuration 36A Threaded lid 36B Flat lid36C Labyrinth or step lid 36D Dimpled lid 37 Side and base integral 37ARadiused intersection of integral Side and base 38 Integral center arbor38A Separate center arbor 39 Means to connect sides and base 37 to arbor38 40 Open ended cylinder 41 Base 42 Means to secure base 41 to cylinder40 43 Means such as a Slot along surface of side base center 31, sidebase 37 or side cylinder 40 44 Taper or lead at slot 43 45 Base andIntegral Arbor PT Paper towel roll

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment

The present invention presented is a Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser 30. Particularly the preferred embodiment of theSpecial Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 is related torelated to devices and methods to hold paper towels, especially in ahome setting or decorative commercial setting. This Special Functionaland Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 is a new combination of existingmaterials configured with unique features that provide an effective,practical and economical way to provide a paper towel holder with uniquefeatures that have both functional and decorative impact. The preferredand alternative embodiments are described herein. The preferredembodiment of the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser 30 is comprised of a container 31 including a bottom, sidesand a center arbor; a lid 33; a means 32 to hold a paper towel roll;and, a means to dispense 43 a paper towel PT from the roll as a singlesheet.

There is shown in FIGS. 1-6 a complete detail; an operative embodiment;and prior art for the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser 30. In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well that theFIGS. 1-6 detail the special configuration and FIGS. 1B and 2 show theoperative use of this invention.

The advantages for the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefitsare the device:

-   -   is a decorative as well as functional piece.    -   is enclosed to reduce cross contamination.    -   has expanders that are attached to center post to ensure that        towels do not unravel in container.    -   is esthetically pleasing.    -   can be made in different colors.    -   is adaptable to Small, Medium, and Large sized rolls    -   can be made of different materials.    -   is easy to package    -   can be sold and distributed retail, wholesale, or E-commerce        internet sales from a website

The preferred embodiment of the Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser is comprised of a container 31 including a bottom, sidesand a center arbor 38; a lid 33; a means to hold a paper towel roll 32;and, a means to dispense 43 a paper towel PT from the roll as a singlesheet.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of theSpecial Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30. The drawingstogether with the summary description given above and a detaileddescription given below serve to explain the principles of the SpecialFunctional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30. It is understood,however, that the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are sketches that depict the general preferredembodiment for the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser 30. FIG. 1A is the general embodiment of the device 30. FIG.1B is the same configuration with the components identified. Here thegeneral lid component 33 is shown comprised of integral or separate topplate 35 and handle 34. The side and integral base 37 and integral arbor38 (arbor hidden) is shown with the paper towel PT exiting the device30. As to the materials used to produce the Special Functional andDecorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 there is a plethora ofpossibilities. As an example and not as a limitation, the device 30could be manufactured as a ceramic; a metal such as stainless steel,copper, aluminum, or the like; a composite material such as a clear oropaque plastic with or without reinforcement; or glass. Means ofconnection can be as the integral design, fasteners such as screws orbolts and nuts, or various adhesives. The interior and exterior surfacescould be the actual materials as manufactured or could have variouscoatings and surface finishes such as paint, powder coat, chrome or thelike. If as a ceramic, the surface could be painted or unpainted andthen glazed and fired. Finally, the size of the containers may vary toinclude room for small, medium and large (double) rolls. All these areexamples and not limitations to the possible surface finishes

FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches that show additional details and featuresof the preferred embodiment of the Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser 30. Here the top view in FIG. 2A shows the centerarbor 38 as well as the container 31, 37, 40. The container has the slotfeature 43 and the radiused intersection of integral Side and base 37Aalso depicted. FIG. 2B shows the same top view with the paper towel rollPT inserted and the sheet PT exiting the container via the slot 43. InFIG. 2C the sketch shows the slot 43 with a lead or taper 44 thatpermits a sooth transition of the paper towel PT though the slot 43. Thearbor 38 can be stationary or rotatable to aid the unrolling of thetowel roll during use.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are sketches that show alternative embodiments for thedevice. FIG. 3A shows the preferred embodiment of the Special Functionaland Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 which is comprised of acontainer 31 including an integral bottom, sides and a center arbor 38;a lid 33; and a means to hold a paper towel roll 32. FIG. 3B shows analternative embodiment of the device 30 comprised of a side and bottomcontainer 37; a lid 33 comprised of a plate 35; a handle 34 with a meansto hole them together and includes a securement means 36 to attach thelid 33 to the container 37; a means 32 to rotatably hold a paper towelroll PT; a separate center arbor 38A; and a means to connect the arbor38 to the bottom 37.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are additional sketches that show other alternativeembodiments for the device 30. FIG. 4A shows an integral base and arbor45 connected by a means 42 to a side cylinder 40. FIG. 4B shows aseparate base 41 and arbor 38A connected by a means 39 and the base 41connected to a side cylinder 40 by a means 42.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sketches that show the lid assembly 33 andalternative connections for the Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser 30. FIG. 5A shows a generic device 36 that permits thelid 33 to be secured to the container 31, 37,or 40. FIG. 5B shows thevarious configurations to removably connect the lid 33 to the container31. These configuration, for example and not as a limitation may be suchas a threaded lid 36A; a flat lid 36B; a stepped or labyrinth plate 36C,or a dimpled lid 36D. These configurations are shown in FIG. 5B.

FIGS. 6A through 6E are sketches that show the alternatives with thearbor 38 to hold the paper towel roll PT in place for dispensing. Notethat these may be stationary and work with the space between the towelroll PT and surface of the arbor 38. Likewise these could be a press fitbetween the arbor 38 and the interior surface of the roll of the papertowel PT. This results in the arbor 38 having a rotating means 39connecting to the bottom of the Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser 30. FIG. 6A shows a spring leaf like device 32A; FIG. 6Bshows a series of O-rings 32B; FIG. 6C shows a tapered arbor 32C; FIG.6D shows a vertical ridge 36D device and FIG. 6E shows an arbor 38 witha diagonal means 36E to engage the arbor 38 and the paper tow innersurface of the roll PT

All of the details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Othercomponents specific to describing a Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser 30 may be added as a person having ordinary skillin the field of paper towel dispensing and related devices wellappreciates.

Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

The preferred embodiment for the Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser 30 has been described in the above paragraphs. Themanner of how the device operates is described below. One skilled in theart of paper towel dispensing and related devices will note that thedescription above and the operation described here must be takentogether to fully illustrate the concept of the Special Functional andDecorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30.

The preferred embodiment of the Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser is comprised of a container 31 including a bottom, sidesand a center arbor; a lid 33; a means to hold 32 a paper towel roll PT;and, a means to dispense 43 a paper towel from the roll as a singlesheet. These features and details of the device 30 are described above.

FIGS. 1B and 2 are examples of how to use the Special Functional andDecorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30.

FIG. 1B is an example of use for the Special Functional and DecorativePaper Towel Dispenser 30. This depicts the Special Functional andDecorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 comprised of a container 31including a bottom, sides and a center arbor; a lid 33; a means to holda paper towel roll 32; and, a means to dispense 43 a paper towel PT fromthe roll as a single sheet. FIG. 1B show how, after a paper towel hasbeen placed inside the Special Functional and Decorative Paper TowelDispenser 30, the towel PT is surrounded by the device 30 and exitsthrough the slot 43. Note that the device contains, protects and hidesthe paper towel PT from view. This permits the attractive device 30 tobe placed in plain view on a counter top for easy use and functionalityyet removes the unsightly roll PT from view.

FIGS. 2A through C are examples of use for the Special Functional andDecorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30. In operation, one removes the lid33 from the container 31,40,37. Then one places a paper towel roll PTaround the arbor 38. Then the exterior sheet is fished through the slot43. A tapered top area 44 permits easy placement of the towel PT in theslot without tearing or snagging the towel PT. One also may note thatthe arbor 38 permits the towel roll to rotate as the towel PT is pulled.When the towel PT is through the slot 43, the lid 33 is replaced. Thefull roll is used and then the process is repeated as necessary.

With the above description it is to be understood that the SpecialFunctional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 is not to be limitedto only the disclosed embodiment. The features of the Special Functionaland Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30 are intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the description.

1. A Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser 30comprised of (a) a container 31 that is made of durable material andincludes an integral bottom, sides and a center arbor 38; (b) a lid 33;(c) a means 32 to hold a paper towel roll PT onto the arbor 38; and (d)a means 43 to dispense a paper towel PT from the roll as a single sheetwherein the special device 30 may be used to secure a paper towel rollin a aesthetically pleasing manner while functionally providing accessto the paper towel roll.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein themeans 32 to hold a paper towel roll PT onto the arbor 38 is at least oneleaf spring 32A.
 3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the means 32to hold a paper towel roll PT onto the arbor 38 is at a series offlexible “O” rings 32B.
 4. The device according to claim 1 wherein themeans 32 to hold a paper towel roll PT onto the arbor 38 is a taperedconfiguration 32C of the arbor
 38. 5. The device according to claim 1wherein the means 32 to hold a paper towel roll PT onto the arbor 38 isa series of two or more vertical ridges 32D on the arbor
 38. 6. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein the means 32 to hold a paper towelroll PT onto the arbor 38 is a diagonal ridge means 32E.
 7. The deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the lid is a threaded lid 36A.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein the lid is a flat lid 36B.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 1 wherein the lid 33 is a labyrinth plate 36C.10. The device according to claim 1 wherein the lid 33 is a dimpled lid36D.
 11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the container durablematerial is a ceramic.
 12. The device according to claim 1 wherein thecontainer durable material is a metal.
 13. The device according to claim12 wherein the metal is stainless steel.
 14. The device according toclaim 12 wherein the metal is aluminum.
 15. The device according toclaim 12 wherein the metal is copper.
 16. The device according to claim1 wherein the container durable material is a composite material. 17.The device according to claim 16 wherein the composite material is aplastic.
 18. A Special Functional and Decorative Paper Towel Dispenser30 comprised of (a) a container 31 that is made of durable material andincludes an integral bottom and sides 37 and a center arbor 38A; (b) alid 33; (c) a means 32 to hold a paper towel roll PT onto the arbor 38A;(d) a means to hold the arbor 38A integral bottom and sides 37; and (e)a means 43 to dispense a paper towel PT from the roll as a single sheetwherein the special device 30 may be used to secure a paper towel rollin a aesthetically pleasing manner while functionally providing accessto the paper towel roll.
 19. A Special Functional and Decorative PaperTowel Dispenser 30 comprised of (a) a container 31 that is made ofdurable material and includes a separate base 41; separate side 40 and acenter arbor 38A; (b) a lid 33; (c) a means 32 to hold a paper towelroll PT onto the arbor 38A; (d) a means 39 to hold the arbor 38Aintegral bottom and sides 37; (e) a means 42 to hold the base 41 to theside 40; and (e) a means 43 to dispense a paper towel PT from the rollas a single sheet wherein the special device 30 may be used to secure apaper towel roll in a aesthetically pleasing manner while functionallyproviding access to the paper towel roll.